1. The offseason between 2006 and 2007 was just a brutal one for Omar Minaya and his club. A young catcher, Jesus Flores, was needlessly lost in the Rule 5 draft. Relievers Matt Lindstrom, Henry Owens and Heath Bell were traded with the return amounting to nothing for the Mets. But perhaps most painful was the Metsâ decision to trade Brian Bannister to Kansas City for Ambiorix Burgos. The ability to find even low-cost, league-average starting pitching is incredibly valuable in this market. It seems now that Bannister has a brighter present and future than the more touted Mike Pelfrey, whose aptitude and stomach are both dubious. Bannister is all about pitching intellect and fortitude, the ability to throw multiple pitches and a strong conviction in that array. He went 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA last season, his first full year entrusted as a starter. And against arguably the majorsâ best lineup on Wednesday, Bannister held the Tigers to two hits, no walks and no runs in seven innings. Edgar Renteria got both hits and the rest of the lineup â the Gary Sheffields and Magglio Ordonezes, the Carlos Guillens and Miguel Cabreras â produced nothing. With the fragility of the Met rotation showing â with Orlando Hernandez out, Pedro Martinez joining him and Pelfrey not yet proving he can adapt and adjust â it would be sure nice if they had Brian Bannister.
2. The Blue Jays vowed to be more aggressive on the bases than their station-to-station movement of recent years. And Toronto did succeed in both of its steal tries.
3. The Yanks have their best backup catcher in Jose Molina since Joe Girardi was playing behind Jorge Posada in 1999. Still, when Posada has to be scratched with a sore shoulder, you recognize how valuable he is to the Yanks. And, really, how much the Yanks need Posada to be able to play at a healthy and high level through as much of his new four-year contract, as possible.
